In the heart of a dense and misty forest, beneath a silver sky, Sahiru stood alone.
The wind trembled around him.
His blade pulsed with energy.
He closed his scarlet and violet eyes—
"Facade Breathing, Eleventh Form…"
He swung the blade with force, and the world seemed to split—
A violent roar erupted from the clouds.
The air cracked like thunder.
A colossal dragon formed—half scarlet, half violet.
Its body shimmered with ancient energy, its eyes glowing like twin suns.
But the moment it rose, it resisted.
Sahiru fell to one knee, his hands trembling from the strain.
The dragon loomed above him, its voice booming in his soul.
"Not yet, Sahiru Orasawa. Your heart is still unstable.
Control me, and I will stand beside you.
Lose control… and you will become me."
The vision faded.
Sahiru stood again, silent.
His breathing slowed.
"Soon…" he whispered. "I will earn it."
Just then, the bushes rustled behind him.
A girl stepped out.
She had deep brown eyes filled with intensity, and short dark hair tied behind her ears.
A blade was strapped to her back—her posture was alert but respectful.
Hiyori Ubaka.
She bowed slightly.
"Sahiru Orasawa… I've watched your journey. You've become a symbol to all of us."
He turned, not saying anything yet.
"I want to be like you," she said. "How did you become… this?"
Sahiru looked at her for a long moment.
The forest wind settled.
"Through loss," he said softly. "Through anger. Through love.
I didn't become strong because I wanted power.
I became strong because I had no other choice."
Hiyori clenched her fists.
"Then teach me," she said. "Not just how to fight.
Teach me how to carry pain."
A faint smile touched his lips—just for a second.
"Then follow me."
The path of flame, shadow, and dragons had not ended.
It had just found its next traveler.